American defense and technologies partner Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has revealed that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division secured an order to build an amphibious assault ship for the US Navy.
The order, with a value of $2.4 billion, includes detailed design and construction of amphibious assault ship LHA 9. It also encompasses ptions, that if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $3.2 billion. Ingalls was awarded the original long-lead-time material contract for the fourth ship in the America (LHA 6) class in April 2020.
“Ingalls shipbuilders are ready to build the Navy’s newest LHA,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson . “We understand how important this work is, and consider it an honor to be given the opportunity to deliver this capability to the fleet.”
Ingalls has a long tradition of building large-deck amphibious ships that are operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps.
The shipyard has delivered 15 large-decks, including the Tarawa-class, LHA 1-5; the Wasp-class, LHD 1-8; and most recently the America class, LHA 6 and LHA 7. The third of the America-class, Bougainville (LHA 8), is currently under construction.
The America class is a multi-functional and versatile ship that is capable of operating in a high-density, multi-threat environment as an integral member of an expeditionary strike group, an amphibious task force or an amphibious ready group.
LHA 9, like Bougainville, will retain the aviation capability of the America-class design while adding the surface assault capability of a well deck and a larger flight deck configured for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
These large-deck amphibious assault ships also include top-of-the-line medical facilities with full operating suites and triage, according to HII.
Construction on LHA 9 is scheduled to begin in December 2022.